Peripheral neurostimulation for the treatment of refractory cluster headache, long-term follow-up: case report.

INTRODUCTION

Cluster headache is a headache syndrome characterized by periodic episodes of intense headache with spontaneous remission. There are recent reports utilizing occipital nerve stimulation for the successful management of medically refractory cases of cluster headache.

METHODS

The case of an 18-year-old boy with chronic, refractory, recurrent cluster headaches is presented. He was treated surgically with combined occipital, supraorbital, and infraorbital nerve stimulation.

RESULTS

Prior to operation, the patient suffered three to four episodes of cluster headache per day, for four years. After implantation of occipital, supraorbital, and infraorbital nerve stimulators, the patient averages at most three to four headaches per month, at 36-month follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Peripheral neurostimulation is safe and efficacious in the management of chronic, medically refractory cluster headache syndrome. The efficacy of treatment was found to be persistent after three years.